Vacuum cleaner with cord reel



Jue 3, 1969 l.. J. szABo VACUUM CLEANER WITH CORD REEL sheet 2 @f3 FiledNov. 12, 1965 rflll-" lll.

4 June 3, 1969 n L, J. SZABO 3,447,189

` VACUUM CLEANER WITH CORD REEL Filed Nov. 12, 1965 sheet 5 of s fvwm/al' United States Patent O 3,447,189 VACUUM CLEANER WITH CORD REEL LouisJ. Szabo, Fairview Park, Ohio, assignor to General Electric Company, acorporation of New York Filed Nov. 12, 1965, Ser. No. 507,336 Int. Cl.A47l 9/26 U.S. Cl. -323 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An improvedcord reel arrangement for a vacuum cleaner wherein a cord reel housinghaving top, bottom and side walls is uniquely constructed and positionedon a vacuum cleaner. The cord reel housing has an opening formed in oneof its side walls for permitting the passage of an electrical cord, anda lever for controlling the operation of the cord reel extends throughan opening which is formed in the other side wall of the housing. Thus,the cord control lever may be actuated from one side of the vacuumcleaner to retract the cord through an opening located Aat the otherside of the vacuum cleaner. By this arrangement, the unwound cord ispositioned at one side of the vacuum cleaner While the operators feetare located at the other side of the vacuum cleaner so that when thecord is retracted, it does not become entangled around the feet of theoperator.

This invention relates to vacuum cleaners, and more particularly to animproved cord reel arrangement for a vacuum cleaenr.

A cord reel for holding the electrical cord of a vacuum cleaner providesa worthwhile addition to a vacuum cleaner, but the extent of its valuedepends to a great degree on the ease with which the cord reel may beoperated. A simple low cost cord reel construction which is located inan out of the way place on a vacuum cleaner and arranged so that itsoperation does not interfere with the operation of the other parts of avacuum cleaner is especially desirable.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of this invention to provide animproved mounting and control arrangement for a cord reel which is easyto use.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cord reelcontrol mechanism which is so constructed and located so that theelectrical cord may be readily withdrawn from the cord reel andretracted into the cord reel without interfering with the other p-artsof the vacuum cleaner and without becoming entangled around the feet ofthe operator when it is being retracted.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved cord reelcontrol mechanism which may be controlled by a touch of the operatorstoe without tilting or tipping the cleaner.

In accordance with one aspect of my invention, a vacuum cleaner includesa base member which is supported for movement over a floor to becleaned, and a cord reel for storing an electrical cord is supported forrotation with respect to the base member. A housing is provided for thecord reel and for a cord reel control mechanism, and an opening isformed in one of the side walls of the housing for permitting thepassage of the electrical cord. A lever for controlling the operation ofthe cord reel extends through another opening which is formed in theother side wall of the housing. Thus, the cord control lever may beactuated from one side of the Ivacuum cleaner to retract the cordthrough the opening located at the other side of the vacuum cleaner. Bythis arrangement, the unwound cord is positioned at one side of thevacuum cleaner while the operators feet are located Iat the other sideof the vacuum cleaner so that 3,447,189 Patented June 3, 1969 ice whenthe cord is retracted it does not become entangled around the feet ofthe operator.

-Other objects and :attendant advantages of this invention will beapparent from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is la perspective view of a vacuum cleaner embodying my improvedcord reel arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of my improved cord reel arrangement;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view of the cord reel with parts shownbroken away for purposes of clarity in illustration;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view on the line and in the direction ofthe arrows 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective rview similar to FIG. 2 but with some ofthe parts removed for purposes of clarity in illustration.

FIG. 6 is a rear elevational view of the cleaner with parts of the cordreel removed and broken away for purposes of clarity in illustration.

Referring now to FIG. l there is shown a vacuum cleaner embodying myimproved cord reel arrangement. As shown, the front wall of the cleaneris provided with an air inlet fitting 2 adapted to be connected toalsuction tubular hose coupling (not shown). Conventonally, the tubularhose coupling is, in turn, connected to appropriate suction cleaningattachments or tools. As shown in FIG. l, the vacuum cleaner includes agenerally elongated housing having a longitudinal axis arrangedgenerally parallel to the floor to be cleaned.

It is desired that a cord reel be located in an out of the way place onthe vacuum cleaner and arnanged so that it may be easily operatedwithout tipping or tilting the vacuum cleaner while it is beingcontrolled by the touch of the operators foot. In accordance with myinvention, a cord reel construction 4 is mounted at the rear of thecleaner away from the air inlet fitting 2 and any tools which may beconnected to the air inlet fitting 2. Two supporting rear wheels I6 aremounted on axis 7 as far to the rear as possible on the vacuum cleaner.With this construction, a foot control -8 can be operated withouttilting or tipping the vacuum cleaner since the distance or lever armbetween the wheel axles 7 and the foot pedal I8 is very short.Accordingly, the foot pedal 8 may be readily operated without tilting ortipping the vacuum cleaner about its longitudinal axis or about itswheel axle. As shown more particularly in FIG. 6, a wheel mounting plate10 is fixed to a bottom wall 12 'and -a side wall 13 of a vacuum cleanerbase member 14, and suitable axles 16 are provided for mounting wheels6. It can be appreciated that with this construction a substantialportion of the wheels 6 extend rearwardly from an upwardly extendingrear wall 18 of the base member 14 and the cord reel construction 4 isnestledv in an out of the way position between the wheels.

My unique cord reel construction is readily mounted on the rear wall 18and bottom wall 12 of the base member 14. As shown more particularly inFIG. 4, a bracket 20 is fixed to the upwardly extending rear wall 18 ofthe vacuum cleaner by means of screws 22 and the lower portion of thebracket 20 is connected to the bottom wall 12 of the base member byscrews 24. A rear w-all 26 of the bracket 20 extends substantiallyperpendicular to the bottom wall 12 of the vacuum cleaner and isprovided with an aperture 28 for the passage of an electrical cord 30into the vacuum cleaner.

A cord reel support plate 32 is provided for mounting a cord reel 34. Asshown, the lower potrion of the cord reel support plate 32 is xed to thegenerally perpendicular w-all 26 of the bracket by means of rivets orother securing means. The mounting plate 32 extends upwardly from thebracket 26 and a spindle 36 is fixed to the central portion of thebracket 26 for rotatably mounting the cord reel 34. As shown in FIG. 4,the axis of the spindle 36 is arranged generally parallel to thelongitudinal vaxis of the cleaner and to the -oor to be cleaned. Aspiral spring 38 is connected between the spindle 36 and the cord reel34 for continuously urging the cord reel in one direction of rotationfor winding electrical cord 40 onto the cord reel 34.

A readily manufactured uniquely shaped cover lhousing means 41 isprovided for enclosing the cord reel 34 and for uniquely supporting andhousing a cord reel control mechanism 42. As shown more particularly inFIGS. 3 and 4, the cover housing means 41 includes an upper cord reelhousing 43 and a lower cord reel control mechanism 4housing 44. The cordreel housing 43 includes a rear wall 45, a top Wall 46, side walls 48and 50 and a bottom wall 52. As shown in FIG. 5, screw receiving lugs 54are formed at the inside corners of housing 43 for receiving screws 56in order to connect the housing means 41 to rear plate 32. The cord reeland cord control mechanism housings are preferably integrally formedfrom a suitable plastic material which may be hot stamped to include aplurality of integrally formed members such as a screw receiving lugs54.

My unique cord reel control mechanism 42 is so constructed and locatedwith respect to the cord reel and other parts of the vacuum cleaner thatthe electrical cord 40 may be readily wihdrawn from the cord reel 34 andretracted onto the cord reel 34 without interfering with the other partsof the vacuum cleaner, and without becoming enangled around the feet ofthe operator when it is being retracted. As shown more particularly inFIG. 5, an enlarged opening `60 is provided in the bottom wall 52 of thecord reel housing, and the control mechanism housing 42 is positionedimmediately below the opening 60.

The cord control mechanism housing 44 includes a rear Wall 62, a bottomwall 64 and two side walls 65 and 66. In order that the cord 40 may besmoothly withdrawn from the cord reel housing, a cord guide member 68 isinserted within grooves 69 which are formed at an opening 70 in the sidewall 65.

An improved mechanism is provided for automatically locking the cordafter it has been withdrawn from the cord reel. This mechanism includesa cord control lever 72 which is pivotally mounted on the housing 44 bya pin 74. As shown more particularly in FIG. 5, the cord control lever72 includes a bifurcated inner portion 76 having two arms 78 and 80. Thepivot pin 74 extends across the upper portion of the arms and a stoproller 82 is mounted between the lower portion of the arms 78 and 80 forco operation with a cord stop lug 84 which is integrally formed with thebottom wall 44 of the housing and extends upwardly therefrom. An outerportion 84 of the cord control lever extends through an opening 86 whichis provided in the other side wall 66 of the cord control housing. Theouter portion 84 is conveniently shaped to provide a toe-operated pedal88 which is readily accessible to the toe ofthe operator.

In order that the stop surface on roller 82 of lthe cord control leverwill be biased into constant engagement with the cord 40 a torsionspring 90 is provided. As shown, the torsion spring 90 is mounted upon ascrew 92 which extends inwardly through plate 32 and into a forwardlyextending screw receiving lug 94 which is formed with the controlmechanism housing 44. One end portion 96 of the spring is biased againstthe inner surface of bottom wall 58 while the other end portion 98 ofthe spring is biased against the top wall of the cord control lever 72between downwardly extending arms 78 and 80. With this construction, thepedal end 84 of the control lever 72 is constantly urged upwardly aboutpivot pin 74 while the stop roller l82 is constantly urged downwardlytoward cord stop 84 in order to lock the cord in position between roller82 and stop 84.

In operation, the cord is pulled out of the housing by means of a plug100 and its cylindrical extension 102 which surrounds the outer end ofcord 40. During withdrawal of the cord, pedal 88 is depressed, the cord40 moves on roller 82, and the cord reel 34 is rotated against the forceof the spring 38 which is positioned between the reel 34 and spindle 36.However, upon release of the cord when the desired length has beenwithdrawn, the force of spring urging stop roller 83 downwardly issu'icient to hold the cord between roller 82 and stop lug 84.

In order to retract the cord into the cleaner, the operator merelydepresses the pedal 88 of cord control lever 72. During this movement,stop roller 82 is moved upwardly to permit the cord to be retracted byspring 38.

It can be appreciated that with my unique construction, the pedal 88 islocated so close to the floor that the heel of the operators `foot mayrest on the floor while the toe depresses pedal 88. Thus, the operatoris not placed olf balance when operating the lever by foot. Moreover,with my unique construction, it should be appreciated that theelectrical cord 40 extends through one side wall 65 while the cordcontrol lever 72 extends through the other side wall 66. Accordingly,when the cord is being retracted, the operators feet are located on oneside of the vacuum cleaner while the unwound cord is located on theother side of the cleaner to permit the cord to be quickly wound on thereel without becoming entangled around the feet of the operator.

In view of the foregoing, it can be appreciated that my improved cordreel arrangement utilizes a minimum number of parts which may be easily`formed and assembled to the vacuum cleaner. The unique housing means 41including the upper housing portion 43 for enclosing the cord reel, thelower housing 44 for the control mechanism, Screw receiving lugs `54,upwardly extending lug 84, and side walls 65 and 66 are all formedduring a single stamping operation.

While there has been shown and described a particular embodiment of thisinvention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variouschanges and modifications can be made therein without departing from theinvention and therefore it is aimed in the appended claims to cover allsuch changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scopeof the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a base member supported for movement over a floor to be cleaned;

(b) a cord reel for storing an electrical cord mounted on said vacuumcleaner, said cord reel being supported for rotation with respect tosaid base member;

(c) housing means for enclosing said cord reel including a top wallgenerally parallel to the oor to be cleaned, a bottom wall spaceddownwardly from said top wall and being arranged generally parallel tothe floor to be cleaned, and two opposed side walls, each of said sidewalls extending between said top wall and said bottom wall and beingarranged generally perpendicular to the oor to be cleaned, an openingformed in one of the opposed side walls of said cord reel housing meansfor permitting the passage of the electrical cord therethrough;

(d) an opening rformed in the other side wall of said cord reel housingmeans;

(e) a cord control lever mounted within said cord reel housing means;

(f) said lever extending through the other side wall of said cord reelhousing means and said cord reel being mounted on the vacuum cleanerwhereby said lever may be actuated from one side of said vacuum cleanerto retract the cord through the opening located at the other side ofsaid vacuum cleaner.

2. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a generally elongated housing having a longitudinal axis arrangedgenerally parallel to the floor to be cleaned;

(b) said elongated cleaner housing having side walls, opposed end walls,and a base member supported for movement over the oor to be cleaned;

(c) -a cord reel for storing an electrical cord mounted on one of saidopposed end walls, said cord reel being supported for rotation withrespect to said base member about an axis substantially parallel to theaxis of said elongated cleaner and the floor to be cleaned;

(d) housing means for enclosing said cord reel including a top wall, abottom wall, and two opposed side walls arranged generally contiguouswith the side walls of said elongated vacuum cleaner housing;

(e) an opening formed in one of the opposed side walls of said cord reelhousing, and an electrical cord extending through said opening;

(f) an opening formed in the other one of said opposed side walls ofsaid cord reel housing;

(g) a cord control lever mounted within said cord reel housing; (h) saidcord control lever extending through the opening in said other one ofsaid opposed side walls of said cord reel housing whereby said lever maybe actuated from one side of said vacuum cleaner to retract the cordthrough the opening in said one of said -opposed side walls located atthe other side of said vvacuum cleaner so that when the cord is beingret tracted it does not become entangled around the feet of theoperator.

3. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a generally-elongated housing having a longitudinal .A axis arrangedgenerally parallel to the oor to be cleaned;

(b) said elongated cleaner housing having side walls, opposed end walls,and a base member supported for movement over a fioor to be cleaned; (c)axle means fixed to said base member adjacent one end of said basemember, said axle means arranged generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of said housing and supporting wheels mounted forrotation of said axle means; (d) a cord reel for storing an electricalcord mounted on one said of said opposed end walls, said cord reel beingsupported for rotation with respect to said base member about an axissubstantially perpendicular to said axle means and substantiallyparallel to the axis of said elongated cleaner; (e) housing means forenclosing said cord reel including a top wall, a bottom wall and twoopposed side walls; (f) an opening formed in one of the opposed sidewalls v of said cord reel housing;

(g) a cord control lever mounted within said cord reel lhousingextending through the opening in said cord reel housing and beingprovided with a foot pedal, said cord control lever being arrangedgenerally parallel to the wheel axle means and being spaced as close aspossible to the wheel so that the pedal may be readily operated withouttilting or tipping the vacuJ um cleaner about its longitudinal axis orabout its wheel axle means.

4. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a generally elongated housing having a longitudinal axis arrangedgenerally parallel to the floor to be cleaned;

(b) said elongated cleaner housing having side walls and opposed endwalls;

(c) a base member having a generally flat Ibottom wall, an upwardlyextending front wall, two side walls and a rear wall;

(d) a circular air inlet fitting provided in the upwardly extendingfront wall of said base member whereby a tubular housing coupling may beconnected to said air inlet fitting;

(e) axle means xed to as far to one end as possible on said base member,said axle means being arranged generally perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of said housing, and supporting wheels mounted forrotation on said axle means;

(f) a cord reel for storing an electrical cord mounted on said one endof the opposed end walls of said elongated vacuum cleaner housing, saidcord reel being supported for rotation with respect to said base memberabout an axis substantially perpendicular to said axle and substantiallyparallel to the axis of said elongated cleaner;

(g) housing means for enclosing said cord reel including a top wall, abottom wall and two opposed side walls;

(h) an opening formed in one of the opposed side walls of said cord reelhousing;

(i) a cord control lever mounted within said cord reel housing extendingthrough the opening in said cord reel housing and being provided with afoot pedal, said cord control lever being arranged generally parallel tothe Wheel axle and being spaced as close as possible to the wheel sothat the pedal may be readily operated without tilting or tipping thevacuum cleaner about its longitudinal axis or about its wheel axle.

5. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a base member having a generally flat bottom wall, an upwardlyextending rear wall and two side walls;

(b) a wheel mounting plate fixed to the bottom wall and the side wallsin close relationship with said upstanding rear wall;

(c) a supporting wheel mounted for rotation on said mounting plate, asubstantial portion of said wheel extielnding rearwardly of saidupwardly extending rear wa (d) a bracket fixed to the upwardly extendingrear wall of said vacuum cleaner;

(e) a cord reel support plate having an upper portion, a centralportion, and a lower portion, the lower portion of said cord reelsupport plate being fixed to said bracket;

(f) a cord reel for storing an electrical cord rotatably nliounted atthe central portion of said cord reel p ate;

(g) a spring continuously urging said cord reel in one direction ofrotation for winding the electrical cord on said reel;

(h) a housing xed to said support plate for enclosing said cord reel,said housing including a bottom wall having lan enlarged opening formedtherein;

(i) a cord control mechanism housing integrally formed with said coverextending downwardly below said enlarged opening, said cord controlhousing having a bottom wall and two side walls;

(j) an opening formed in one of the side walls of said cord controlhousing for permitting the passage of the electrical cord therethrough;

(k) an opening formed in the other side wall of said cord controlhousing;

(l) a cord control lever pivotally mounted within said cord controlhousing;

(m) said cord control lever extending through the other side wall ofsaid cord control housing whereby said cord control lever may beactuated from one side of said vacuum cleaner to retract the cordthrough the opening formed at the other side of the vacuum cleaner.

6. A vacuum cleaner comprising:

(a) a base member supported for movement over a floor to be cleaned;

(b) a cord reel for storing an electrical cord mounted on said vacuumcleaner, said cord reel being sup- 7 ported for rotation with respect tosaid base member;

(c) housing means for enclosing said cord reel including a top wallgenerally parallel to the oor to be cleaned, a bottom wall spaceddownwardly from said top wall and being arranged generally parallel tothe oor to be cleaned, and two opposed side walls, each of said sidewalls extending between said top wall and said bottom Wall and beingarranged generally perpendicular to the oor to be cleaned, an openingformed in one of the opposed side walls of said cord reel housing meansfor permitting the passage of the electrical cord therethrough;

(d) an opening formed in the other side wall of said housing means;

(e) a cord control lever mounted within said cord reel housing meanscomprising:

(1) a bifurcated inner portion having two arms,

and

(2) an outer portion projecting through the opening formed in the otherside wall for access by the foot of the operator;

(f) a stop roller mounted between the arms of said control lever forabutting the electrical cord and urging it downwardly;

(g) a cord stop lug integrally formed with said housing and positionedwith respect to said roller so that the electrical cord may be grippedtherebetween;

(h) torsion spring means positioned between said lever and a wall ofsaid housing for biasing said roller against said cord;

(i) the outer portion of said lever extending through the other sideWall of said cord reel housing and said cord reel being mounted on thevacuum cleaner whereby said lever may be actuated from one sideof saidvacuum cleaner to retract the cord through the opening located at theother side of said vacuum cleaner.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT W. MICHELL, PrimaryExaminer.

